Polymer Colloids: From Design to Biomedical and Industrial Applications

Prague, Czech Republic (July 20-24, 2008)

The science and technology of polymer colloids have shown great progress during the recent decade. The goal of this meeting is to present the progress and new methods in design, development, modeling, characterization, and application of advanced polymer colloids both in industry and life sciences, such as biomedicine and biotechnology. The experts joining the microsymposium will also discuss the future developments in the field of polymer colloids.

TOPICS1)Advanced methods of synthesis and preparation of polymer colloids using conventional and non-conventional polymerization processes (such as RAFT, ATRP). Kinetics and mechanism. Micro- and nanoencapsulation, organic polymer/inorganic nanocomposite particles, core-shell microspheres, hollow particles.

2)Nano- and microparticles, polymer micelles and vesicles for life sciences, drug and gene delivery and biomedical diagnostics, polymer-biopolymer complexes and assemblies. Biocompatible/biodegradable particles, polymer colloids in nanobiotechnologies.

3)Stimuli-responsive polymer colloids, such as temperature-, pH- and light-sensitive, magnetic and conducting polymer particles, colloid characterization and physicochemical properties of particles: microstructure, chemical composition, swelling ability, morphology, surface properties, etc.

4)New trends in industrial applications of polymer colloids in coatings, composite materials, adhesives, paper and textile, etc. Colloidal crystals for optical devices.

More: http://www.imc.cas.cz/sympo/48micros/